Patents by Inventor Brad Herner

Brad Herner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220293623
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes: (i) a semiconductor substrate having a planar surface, the semiconductor substrate having formed therein circuitry for memory operations; (ii) a memory array formed above the planar surface, the memory array having one or more electrodes to memory circuits in the memory array, the conductors each extending along a direction substantially parallel to the planar surface; and (iii) one or more transistors each formed above, alongside or below a corresponding one of the electrodes but above the planar surface of the semiconductor substrate, each transistor (a) having first and second drain/source region and a gate region each formed out of a semiconductor material, wherein the first drain/source region, the second drain/source region or the gate region has formed thereon a metal silicide layer; and (b) selectively connecting the corresponding electrode to the circuitry for memory operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Scott Brad Herner, Jie Zhou, Wu-Yi Henry Chien, Eli Harari
  • Patent number: 11444121
    Abstract: Devices and methods of their fabrication for pixels or displays are disclosed. Pixels and displays having redundant subpixels are described. Subpixels are initially isolated by an unprogrammed antifuse. A subpixel is connected to the display by programming the antifuse, electrically connecting it to the pixel or display. Defective subpixels can be determined by photoluminescent testing or electroluminescent testing, or both. A redundant subpixel can replace a defective subpixel before pixel or display fabrication is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Black Peak LLC
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 11404431
    Abstract: Various methods overcome the limitations and achieve superior scaling by (i) replacing a single highly challenging high aspect ratio etch step with two or more etch steps of less challenging aspect ratios and which involve wider and more mechanically stable active strips, (ii) using dielectric pillars for support and to maintain structural stability during a high aspect ratio etch step and subsequent processing steps, or (iii) using multiple masking steps to provide two or more etch steps of less challenging aspect ratios and which involve wider and more mechanically stable active strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Henry Chien, Jie Zhou, Eli Harari
  • Patent number: 11398492
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes: (i) a semiconductor substrate having a planar surface, the semiconductor substrate having formed therein circuitry for memory operations; (ii) a memory array formed above the planar surface, the memory array having one or more electrodes to memory circuits in the memory array, the conductors each extending along a direction substantially parallel to the planar surface; and (iii) one or more transistors each formed above, alongside or below a corresponding one of the electrodes but above the planar surface of the semiconductor substrate, each transistor (a) having first and second drain/source region and a gate region each formed out of a semiconductor material, wherein the first drain/source region, the second drain/source region or the gate region has formed thereon a metal silicide layer, and (b) selectively connecting the corresponding electrode to the circuitry for memory operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Scott Brad Herner, Jie Zhou, Wu-Yi Henry Chien, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20220199643
    Abstract: A method addresses low cost, low resistance metal interconnects and mechanical stability in a high aspect ratio structure. According to the various implementations disclosed herein, a replacement metal process, which defers the need for a metal etching step in the fabrication process until after all patterned photoresist is no longer present. Under this process, the conductive sublayers may be both thick and numerous. The present invention also provides for a strut structure which facilitates etching steps on high aspect ratio structures, which enhances mechanical stability in a high aspect ratio memory stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Eli Harari, Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Henry Chien
  • Publication number: 20220165751
    Abstract: A method for forming 3-dimensional vertical NOR-type memory string arrays uses damascene local bit lines is provided. The method of the present invention also avoids ribboning by etching local word lines in two steps. By etching the local word lines in two steps, the aspect ratio in the patterning and etching of stack of local word lines (“word line stacks”) is reduced, which improves the structural stability of the word line stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Henry Chien, Jie Zhou, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20220139998
    Abstract: Devices and methods of their fabrication for pixels or displays are disclosed. Pixels and displays having redundant subpixels are described. Subpixels are initially isolated by an unprogrammed antifuse. A subpixel is connected to the display by programming the antifuse, electrically connecting it to the pixel or display. Defective subpixels can be determined by photoluminescent testing or electroluminescent testing, or both. A redundant subpixel can replace a defective subpixel before pixel or display fabrication is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Black Peak LLC
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 11309331
    Abstract: A method addresses low cost, low resistance metal interconnects and mechanical stability in a high aspect ratio structure. According to the various implementations disclosed herein, a replacement metal process, which defers the need for a metal etching step in the fabrication process until after all patterned photoresist is no longer present. Under this process, the conductive sublayers may be both thick and numerous. The present invention also provides for a strut structure which facilitates etching steps on high aspect ratio structures, which enhances mechanical stability in a high aspect ratio memory stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli Harari, Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Henry Chien
  • Patent number: 11282855
    Abstract: A method for forming 3-dimensional vertical NOR-type memory string arrays uses damascene local bit lines is provided. The method of the present invention also avoids ribboning by etching local word lines in two steps. By etching the local word lines in two steps, the aspect ratio in the patterning and etching of stack of local word lines (“word line stacks”) is reduced, which improves the structural stability of the word line stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Henry Chien, Jie Zhou, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20220077189
    Abstract: A process for forming an antimony-doped silicon-containing layer includes: (a) depositing by chemical vapor deposition the antimony-doped silicon-containing layer above a semiconductor structure, using an antimony source gas and a silicon source gas or a combination of the silicon source gas and a germanium source gas; and (b) annealing the antimony-doped silicon-containing layer at a temperature of no greater than 800° C. The antimony source gas may include one or more of: trimethylantimony (TMSb) and triethylantimony (TESb). The silicon source gas comprises one or more of: silane, disilane, trichlorosilane, (TCS), dichlorosilane (DCS), monochlorosilane (MCS), methylsilane, and silicon tetrachloride. The germanium source gas comprises germane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20220068951
    Abstract: A thin-film storage transistor formed in a memory array above a planar surface of a semiconductor substrate, includes (a) first and second planar dielectric layers, each being substantially parallel the planar surface of the semiconductor substrate; (b) a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity having an opening therein; (c) second and third semiconductor layers of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, located on two opposite sides of the first semiconductor layer; (d) a charge-storage layer provided in the opening adjacent and in contact with the first semiconductor layer; and (e) a first conductor provided in the opening separated from the first semiconductor layer by the charge storage layer, wherein the first, second and third semiconductor layers are each provided as a planar layer of materials between the first and second dielectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20220037356
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a 3-dimensional memory structure includes: (a) providing one or more active layers over a planar surface of a semiconductor substrate, each active layer comprising (i) first and second semiconductor layers of a first conductivity; (ii) a dielectric layer separating the first and second semiconductor layer; and (ii) one or more sacrificial layers, at least one of sacrificial layers being adjacent the first semiconductor layer; (b) etching the active layers to create a plurality of active stacks and a first set of trenches each separating and exposing sidewalls of adjacent active stacks; (c) filling the first set of trenches by a silicon oxide; (d) patterning and etching the silicon oxide to create silicon oxide columns each abutting adjacent active stacks and to expose portions of one or more sidewalls of the active stacks; (e) removing the sacrificial layers from exposed portions of the sidewalls by isotropic etching through the exposed portions of the sidewalls of the active stack
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Eli Harari, Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Chien
  • Publication number: 20220028871
    Abstract: A thin-film storage transistor in a NOR memory string has a gate dielectric layer that includes a silicon oxide nitride (SiON) tunnel dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the SiON tunnel dielectric layer has a thickness between 0.5 to 5.0 nm thick and an index of refraction between 1.5 and 1.9. The SiON tunnel dielectric layer may be deposited at between 720° C. and 900° C. and between 100 and 800 mTorr vapor pressure, using an LPCVD technique under DCS, N2O, and NH3 gas flows. The SiON tunnel dielectric layer may have a nitrogen content of 1-30 atomic percent (at %).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Christopher J. Petti, George Samachisa, Wu-Yi Henry Chien
  • Publication number: 20220028920
    Abstract: This application describes a light emitting device or an assembly of light emitting devices, each with a small footprint. The light emitting device comprises two transistors, a capacitor, and an LED. The transistors comprise single crystal semiconductor. The capacitor is vertically-oriented. The LED overlies the transistors and capacitor. Methods to form the light emitting device or assembly are discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Black Peak LLC
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Publication number: 20210407983
    Abstract: A memory array and single-crystal circuitry are provided by wafer bonding (e.g., adhesive wafer bonding or anodic wafer bonding) in the same integrated circuit and interconnected by conductors of a interconnect layer. Additional circuitry or memory arrays may be provided by additional wafer bonds and electrically connected by interconnect layers at the wafer bonding interface. The memory array may include storage or memory transistors having single-crystal epitaxial silicon channel material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Eli Harari
  • Patent number: 11211398
    Abstract: A process for forming an antimony-doped silicon-containing layer includes: (a) depositing by chemical vapor deposition the antimony-doped silicon-containing layer above a semiconductor structure, using an antimony source gas and a silicon source gas or a combination of the silicon source gas and a germanium source gas; and (b) annealing the antimony-doped silicon-containing layer at a temperature of no greater than 800° C. The antimony source gas may include one or more of: trimethylantimony (TMSb) and triethylantimony (TESb). The silicon source gas comprises one or more of: silane, disilane, trichlorosilane, (TCS), dichlorosilane (DCS), monochlorosilane (MCS), methylsilane, and silicon tetrachloride. The germanium source gas comprises germane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20210398949
    Abstract: An electronic device with embedded access to a high-bandwidth, high-capacity fast-access memory includes (a) a memory circuit fabricated on a first semiconductor die, wherein the memory circuit includes numerous modular memory units, each modular memory unit having (i) a three-dimensional array of storage transistors, and (ii) a group of conductors exposed to a surface of the first semiconductor die, the group of conductors being configured for communicating control, address and data signals associated the memory unit; and (b) a logic circuit fabricated on a second semiconductor die, wherein the logic circuit also includes conductors each exposed at a surface of the second semiconductor die, wherein the first and second semiconductor dies are wafer-bonded, such that the conductors exposed at the surface of the first semiconductor die are each electrically connected to a corresponding one of the conductors exposed to the surface of the second semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Khandker Nazrul Quader, Robert Norman, Frank Sai-keung Lee, Christopher J. Petti, Scott Brad Herner, Siu Lung Chan, Sayeef Salahuddin, Mehrdad Mofidi, Eli Harari
  • Publication number: 20210384382
    Abstract: This application describes a light emitting device or an assembly of light emitting devices. In the completed light emitting device, a distributed Bragg reflector minimizes the possibility of disturbing adjacent light emitting devices. Methods to fabricate such devices and assemblies of devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Black Peak LLC
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 11183534
    Abstract: This application describes a light emitting device or an assembly of light emitting devices, each with a small footprint. The light emitting device comprises two transistors, a capacitor, and an LED. The transistors comprise single crystal semiconductor. The capacitor is vertically-oriented. The LED overlies the transistors and capacitor. Methods to form the light emitting device or assembly are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Black Peak LLC
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 11177281
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a 3-dimensional memory structure includes: (a) providing one or more active layers over a planar surface of a semiconductor substrate, each active layer comprising (i) first and second semiconductor layers of a first conductivity; (ii) a dielectric layer separating the first and second semiconductor layer; and (ii) one or more sacrificial layers, at least one of sacrificial layers being adjacent the first semiconductor layer; (b) etching the active layers to create a plurality of active stacks and a first set of trenches each separating and exposing sidewalls of adjacent active stacks; (c) filling the first set of trenches by a silicon oxide; (d) patterning and etching the silicon oxide to create silicon oxide columns each abutting adjacent active stacks and to expose portions of one or more sidewalls of the active stacks; (e) removing the sacrificial layers from exposed portions of the sidewalls by isotropic etching through the exposed portions of the sidewalls of the active stack
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli Harari, Scott Brad Herner, Wu-Yi Chien